Sunday, February 3, 2013

Hi everyone!Welcome to week #5 of the Downton Abbey Mystery KAL! I hope everyone's projects are coming along ok. From what I've been observing on Ravelry, most of you are doing just fine and have been great about helping everyone out as well. Thank you to all of you for creating such a wonderful and positive community!

Elegant and functional!

I asked in the comments on my last post for folks to weigh in about what to knit next and I've decided to do a little of both. Many folks chose to reverse the pattern on their own and knit two at a time. I decided to address the lacing for the gauntlets as the main topic for this post. After the lacing, I'll include instructions for casting on and getting started on your second gauntlet. Hopefully this will cover both sides of the spectrum!

My gauntlet fully ruched.

So now that you have at least one gauntlet finished, you may be wondering how those eyelets will be used. Well today, we will be knitting a skinny i-cord to run through the eyelets, and tie with a bow to complete the ruched look of the gauntlet. Gathering the side of the gauntlet like this will help to tighten the fit of the gauntlet on your arm and will also create a feminine and ladylike fit as well that is appropriate for the time period in which Downton Abbey takes place.Knitting this i-cord is quite simple and all you need is either two DPNs in the size you used for your gauntlet, or your circular needle in the size you use, preferably a 24" length or shorter and your gauntlet yarn. The shorter circular length will make it much easier to work your i-cord. If you would prefer, you can use a different yarn for your i-cord to create a fun contrast. Don't feel like you HAVE to use the same yarn as your gauntlet. However, should you choose to use a different yarn, I would recommend using one that is the same weight or lighter than the sport weight yarn you are using.**Please note, you can't use straight needles to knit your i-cord in the method I am about to show you. It will not work.**I-cord Instructions (Make 2):Step 1: Using your US 3 needles, cast on 2 stsStep 2: Slide your sts to the opposite end of the needle so that the stitch closest to the tip of the needle does NOT have the working yarn attached to it.

Working yarn is on the stitchto the left.

Step 3: Knit those 2 sts pulling the working yarn snugly on that first stitch to close any gap that might occur.

What it looks like when you pull it snug as you knit the first stitch.

Step 4: Slide your sts to the opposite end of the needle again.Step 5: Knit those 2 sts pulling the working yarn snugly on that first stitch.Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 & 5 until your i-cord measures 17" long.

The completed i-cord.

Step 7: To finish, knit those 2 sts together, cut your yarn, and run your strand through the loop to tie off. Weave in your ends and run your i-cord through your eyelets as shown in the photo below weaving in and out up one side of eyelets towards the thumb and back down the other so that both tails are on the same end when it's finished.Then cinch up your gauntlets to the desired fit and tie a bow to secure them. Wear while drinking tea out of fancy cups with your pinkey finger in the air!

How to lace up your gauntlet...

For those of you who knit two at a time, this is the end of the KAL for you! Now you can kick back, relax and enjoy the rest of the Downton season! The rest of us will be starting on our second gauntlets!Beginning of Gauntlet #2:**This part is the same as gauntlet #1**

-Using a Crochet Provisional Cast-on and your waste yarn, cast on 52 sts (or however many stitches you cast on for your first gauntlet.)-Knit one row with project yarn (all stitches on the needles should now be in your "real" yarn, not your scrap yarn)

-Divide on to 3 DPNs or (or for whichever method you are using) and join for knitting in the round.-Knit 4 rounds.

Alright folks! This should keep you busy today as you watch Downton and maybe even the super bowl or whatever else you have planned! For those of you continuing on to knit your second gauntlet, I'll see you all back here next week.

Also, just an FYI, I'll be at the TNNA conference in Long Beach this weekend and won't be online for most of the day Sunday. I'll try and check in here Sunday evening, but Terry will be keeping an eye on the forum and the blog comments in my absence and helping as much as possible. If you don't see me here on Sunday, I have not abandoned ship, I swear! I'll be back on Monday! :)